Copper chain building

[@pocket83]

Lots of *suggestions to use a drill* for making the helices. About that: I don't do it because twisting them by hand will still quickly generate more links than I care to assemble. The assembly is the tedious part. Further, forming the helix by hand is easy, reliable, quiet, waste efficient, and it's even somewhat entertaining. And again, long copper coils simply become too springy, which alters the ring diameter. If you are trying to make production chainmail, these probably aren't the techniques you are looking for. This video is for the passive hobbyist, so I still don't recommend using a drill, and please try to understand that I'm not interested in your passionate appeal for me to change.

[@sashadistan3687]

I would never advocate using a drill to make a coil - that sounds like a recipe for disaster. I can tell you that at the jewellers workshop, we use the lathe to hold the round steel bar and wedge one end of the wire, then simply turn the stock with one hand (never switching it on, obviously). We also only make short lengths, because we're using precious metals, but I found your use of a jig really cool. thanks!

[@chicken4247]

plz make a copper cooking pot

[@sparkyprojects]

You could use a drill to straighten the wires, clamp one end in the vice, other end in the chuck, i found it also hardens the copper, and it leaves an interesting twist feature in the wire. Don't do it too much or it will break ;)

[@_Simon]

i found something out, instead of using salt and vinegar for cleaning off corrosion, use baking soda and vinegar

[@g4mmalotus937]

I wouldn't use your video for chain mail use, not because there's anything wrong with your design, but simply because chainmail requires a larger circumference to support the other connections, this Idea is wonderful and I look forward to trying it out

[@joelwatts9042]

Saw your chain making video abt 4 years ago. I said to myself, someday I am going to make that. Today was the day. Chain turned out great, jig was easy to make. Thank you for the inspiration and the video.

[@pocket83]

Great to hear. You'll find uses for that stuff everywhere. Thanks!

[@taylorjames184]

Started making rings after wstching this video, been 6 years now. This was the video that started it all. Thank you

[@Managarmr420]

After years of making chainmail from steel wire I can safely say I think you found the most efficient method, because it's nearly what I do when I make butted mail. However, that cutting jig will become a new part of my work station. I dont' think I can ever thank you enough for that idea. It seems to give a much nicer cut than I'd get with my trusty wirecutters. I just wish I could find a pocket-esque method of cutting those links with a small overlap when it comes to making riveted chainmail. For me, it's just some modified wire snips with a notch cut in the blade that's large enough for the wire to comfortably sit in it, I can only imagine you'd come up with an answer that'll make me kick myself. But yes, thanks for the jig! it's absolutely going to save me so much time.

[@nexus01gr]

+Managarmr420 How about cutting the formed spring a little bit off center? Instead of a vertical cut to the apex of the spring's circle (12 o' clock), a vertical cut at the 1 or 2 o' clock point should produce a mating tapered edge on both ends. My guess is that, a cut like that would be best if you intend to solder the link's tips. Not sure if it would help for riveting them though. Best of luck!

[@patrickbrett66]

Managarmr420 close the ring so that it overlaps a little then smash the ends with a punch and hammer.

[@zoehawman2290]

My father supplied me with a bunch of loops he made so I could chain mail (I learned when I was eight) and now I'm running out so I am looking for ways to make more loops

[@MichaelLawing]

That drill bit-as-depth gauge tip was worth the price of admission!

[@phillipbaugh9876]

The box for cutting the links is genius.

[@MaybeDave]

I deeply appreciate that you are as much about the process (perhaps more?) as you are about the product. Brilliant, as usual. Thanks for sharing.

[@pocket83]

Thank you! What can I say? I guess I've just been touched by his noodly appendage.

[@TheUnlocked]

I know pretty much nothing about carpentry and your videos are still entertaining to watch. I like to see how the materials turn into a finished product even if I have no idea what's actually going on.

[@maxpower9672]

I know the oddly satisfying feeling of playing with the chain. I made some chain mail from stainless steel wire a long time ago and the way it feels as you let it flow back and forth is pretty cool.

[@stewartmcmanus3991]

Mate, that is the neatest, cleverest little jig I've seen for ages, well done.

[@conniedavis6274]

Hey thankyou very much! You have answered some questions I've had for years and you make a good instructor. Very clear precise and useful ideas

[@JohnHeisz]

Nicely thought out process for doing this.

[@lokkas3637]

+John Heisz my dick fell of

[@anthonythomas280]

ONE OF THE BEST INFORMATIVE VIDEOS I HAVE EVER SEEN .ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT ALL . MANY THANKS TONY

[@mattjohnston2]

You know, I was all ready to go and make a chain until you showed at the end that I won't be able to hang a 25lb pendant around my wife's neck. There goes *that* birthday idea!

[@ogenmatic]

Make two chains to hold the 25 pound pendant! Hope she loves it

[@mattjohnston2]

ogenmatic lol

[@macnudd]

Matt Johnston Are you going to have her go swimming with it on?

[@happykitty1238]

Matt Johnston why is it so heavy???

[@Rainyjax]

With a bit of patience and some brass wire (or more copper), you can weld the cuts shut and drastically increase the strength of the chain

[@honestgashandmade5831]

wow.. a copper chainmail trench coat. . . you just initiated my next art project. I can't thank you enough.

[@jaypearce6743]

Great demo. The weight bearing demo was charming

[@thelittlelenora]

Very cool. Copper is such a lovely color. I don't normally like to wear jewelry but that chain wants to be on my neck. I wish I was feeling motivated enough to try making some.

[@75blain]

That wire cutting jig is now my new best friend for making chainmail. Thanks pocket83 👍

[@learnerlearns]

Slick tricks! Even though I have zero interest in making chain, this was fascinating because it is concise, clearly photographed and well edited. Your methods for handling small parts in batches and neat jigs can apply to many other projects. I'll blatantly steal your idea of gluing small parts upon a glass plate. That's far better than my old method of wax paper on the granite countertop, which for some reason irritates my wife. ;-) Also, that copper cleaning solution will come in VERY handy! Between these techniques and the baby-powder / unsticking-shellac-finger trick, I now owe you a lunch or three. Thanks!

[@pocket83]

Thank you. The glass is from one of those halogen work lights that usually come on a stand. I now use those for everything. They have survived 15+ years, even counting being dropped to the concrete. When I was younger, I remember warming my bacon sandwiches on one of those lights (in foil). The other guys at work laughed at me- while they ate their cold lunchmeat.

[@runemichaelsen]

Learner-Learns j

[@TheSafecrkr1]

Learner-Learns I just de-commissioned an old printer/scanner. I saved the glass from the scanner & l use that to segment pieces of wood that I use to make bowls. It keeps them perfectly flat. Not sure how I'll use the rest of the parts. But, this is ONE good reason for being a horder ! I'm just sayin. ....Jim

[@Vikingwerk]

That vinegar and salt trick. How have I never seen this before! I've been cleaning pennies all morning just for fun since you told me this! I've used plain vinegar before, but the salt really supercharges it!

[@geofflotton5292]

Also works for removing rust stains.

[@diggumsmack2]

Pocket83 thank you so much for making this video, it's opened a whole new area for me to work with copper! I've been playing with different gauges, I've done 12 all the down to 4awg or 0.20"!

[@GraceSerenityK]

I'd recommend using a jeweler's saw for separating the links. the kerf will be much smaller and it will take less effort to close the rings. The cutting jig is a great idea!

[@pocket83]

Ahh, but remember the scene where I assemble; the kerf is already very conveniently sized for linking them together.

[@scottpalmer3630]

You sacrifice symmetry when you leave the cut so wide and then close the links. They become more oval.

[@maggsbufton1969]

Wow, so glad I found your channel,! Thank you for sharing your very well thought out and practical methods to crafting chains etc…love it.

[@adamgabbert]

This would really lend itself well to one of those ornamental downspout rain chains things - which would lend itself well as a Christmas present for the little lady. As always, very cool.

[@Thecdnsurvivor]

Used it as a stop chain for my childrens homemade pirate chests, and made a copper pipe windchime using the chain as the hanging method for the pipes :) can't imagine all the possibilities

[@TREEKO978]

I've beed doing some chainmail stuff at home (mostly self taught) and I want to thank you for the tips on making links (I usually cut them one-by-one with a cutter. cut halfway and break them aside. the links are almost perfect but a lot of palm pain afterwards I think next time I will do the woodwork you showed here.) going now to stick leather to my pliers. thanks a lot and have a beautiful life :)

[@TC-bz9dz]

to all the recliner professionals out there telling him what he needs/ should do...if you don't like his method go make your own video.. he is doing quite fine!!! thank you!!

[@bluesblood71]

There is a lot of great stuff in this video! I've used a mandrel in a drill to coil different types of wire before. Fast and works great! For instance, drill a hole to fit the wire just past where the mandrel would chuck in the drill. Thread a bit through to hold it and spin the drill at a low speed while keeping tension on the wire by hand. Just my 2c. All in all, a great tutorial!

[@mgrantom]

Good video. Nice project for a bunch of left over copper wire.

[@juliewilliams8927]

Nice video, clear instructions and clever jigs. Looking forward to what you will make next. Thanks for sharing.

[@atomipi]

Really cool, thanks for sharing! I love it how you use a old fashioned type of measurement for an old hands on type of manufacturing process.

[@joehaney5482]

This is simply ingenious! I have many ideas for using these copper chains. Thank You

[@mike.correa]

On your Flexi Cube video you made these cupper links to lock the elastics and i was amazed by the method. I'm now suprised by this video!

[@DebyNieto-kq2ci]

Genius ! I love working with copper wire and yes salt and white vinegar is amazing.

[@muh1h1]

i did this last summer when i was in a course for electrical installations and we had tons of wire left over every day... i made chainmail though, instead of just lines :) i jdid it a little different though: i wrapped the wire around a screwdriver and cut the helix with a pair of sidecutters. i connected the links together (probably a few hundred to make a small patch of chainmail), and i even soldered the links shut one by one. That way the chainmail was surprisingly strong!

[@seigeengine]

They're called chains.

[@jeanious2009]

thanks a lot for making videos like these. very nice and good information. the voice is so relaxing...thanks.

[@andymarshall7165]

That's really cool, thank you for the awesome video and great information. I have fair amount of scrap wire and have been looking for some ways to use it. As I already make wind chimes this is a great way to customize them a little more.(and eat up those rainy days off on the couch) Keep up the good work.

[@theoq.6685]

i cannot stress how amazing this is. my friend and i are starting to make jewelry and this is just so cool looking.

[@dalenassar9152]

I have been making small bare copper coils for current carrying loops. To join the ring-split together so there is no 'split', I bent the ends out like you did, but also pushed them slightly inward so that to rejoin the open loop, you not only have to simply slide the ends back, but you have to pull outward on them and let them, upon release, press against each other. This way, I can tin the inside the surfaces with solder. Then when they are heated, the pressure will melt the solder, holding them in place with a thin layer of hidden solder--gives a much stronger 'breaking' force. Make sure that a piece of Al foil is between the soldering tip and Cu so no solder will be visible.

[@SennettCJ]

Never going to do this but totally absorbing watching this. Kudos to you.

[@mjremy2605]

Clever way to open a jump ring, genius! Also the cutting jig is marvelous. Excellent for chain making. I suggest you use a finer jewelers fret saw rather than a hacksaw so the links have a smaller gap. You will have to pry them open using your wood tool but no issue with closing it up after that and you don't lose much copper in filings. There are nylon jaw pliers you can buy but this leather hack is a great idea. I suppose you can also dip the nose plier jaws in liquid rubber to make padding. I would also do that with your hand tools so your hands don't wear out. Let me leave you with some healing supplements for your hands. Do this and you will not wear out your precious hands: Swim! Relaxes all the hand muscles. Swim in sunlight not indoors. Glucosamine/ MSM 750 mg Costco, Zinc 50 mg, CoEnzyme Q10 300 mg, Fish Oil 1000 mg, Vit C powder in water. This combination heals carpal tunnel syndrome fast, removes inflammation and speeds up healing of any fatigued hands or wrist. Take Gelatine unflavored for rebuilding cartilage and connective tissue. Also good for hair and skin. DMSO gel - apply on hands and let it dry. Use a flat knife or ice cream stick to apply. Do not use any chemicals when this is on your hands. Let dry fully, then wash with soap. Then dry. Wear gloves and you can work with chemicals 2 hrs later. DMSO will rapidly fix damaged muscle tissue. All natural. But chemicals will go thru the skin barrier immediately if there is any DMSO on it.

[@sherricaldreon5623]

Thanks for sharing, have been doing jewelry for a while now and you make it (chain making) look easy.

[@R1ddle]

skip to 5 minutes to skip the woodwork. lol, woodworking is the reason I watch your channel.

[@diggumsmack2]

I also use a port-a-band, band saw to cut the larger gauges. Only limited by the opening on the port-a-band for the coil length. To coil mine, I put the 1/2" brass stock in my cordless drill, secure one end of the copper in my vice and if you can imagine a winch drum, just wind up the copper, pulling me closer to the vice as it rotates.

[@jackimullinax6541]

I really enjoyed watching your video. This is a very smart and useful idea! I make alot of jewelry including chain maille. Thank you for sharing!

[@jamesbrandon8582]

Nice! Love the jig, I had a bunch of copper wires, clippings and left over bx from my renovation and I held on to them for the longest time wanting to put them to good use in a progect and finally brought them to the scrap yard... I wish that i would have seen this video sooner 😣👍🏼👍🏼

[@codynelson4457]

Hey I really like your videos and I wish you posted more and I just got started in a wood shop class and I have been enjoying it

[@dawsie]

I have been making chains for a while but this jig setup I really do like, the only difference is I am making silver chains mostly but have made copper as well. Next time I’m up in the workshop I will be making a few of the jigs to go,into my kit box’s thanks for the brilliant idea for the jig🤗🤗🤗

[@ou8nucks630]

Coming right along buddy, can't wait for the new year to see ya getter finished up.

[@kylerunyan5950]

Very nicely done! I will have to try this!

[@davidsteinfeld9123]

That's a truly awesome idea I was trying to make something kind of like what you have made here for use with a Dremel however there was no true way to keep the cuts straight and from wondering you my friend have solved the conundrum and no longer a perplexing theory how to make a better ring cutting jig sort of the same idea in principal however I am making chain mail stuff and the knowledge of the making of rings from wire and all quite the same Thank you for sharing K

[@oohsam]

Well thought out and very nice. Great cinematography too.

[@nemocacihlas4876]

Burnish on!thx for the upload.all the best to you and yours.

[@vect0rwolf]

You can work harden your chains by using a tumbler. That will make the copper harder and less prone to spreading apart under load if you decide to make chain from a smaller gauge but also more brittle. For light jewelry that works just fine.

[@MrJ3]

Your channel is sort of like Primitive Technology. Awesome to watch, even if I'm never gonna do any of it, not sure why.

[@tomcummings3471]

Omg LOVE prim tech! xD and yeah, fuck all that, I wouldn't do one five thousandth of what he does, even if I had to in order to survive

[@highdownmartin]

Great cutting jig. Well worth watching for that really smart and neat idea. Spot on

[@dloc116]

This is an amazing idea and something I'm going to have to try. I make chain mail in my off time here and there and I make my own rings one simple suggestion if you don't mind me adding! The rod you use to make your coils on if you drill the same size hole on one side you and insert your wire and use a drill to spin the rod and it takes half the time doing it by hand! Just leave enough wire sticking through the other side so you can push a little and clip it to remove from the rod and the you can still use your jig to cut your rings! I don't claim to be an expert but it's little tips I've picked up over the time that helps to make a bunch of rings in a short period of time! Thanks again for the video and again this is an amazing idea

[@talexander7217]

That's what I did when I made chanimail.

[@dloc116]

Tony Alexander it's amazingly fast and easy

[@hinokikuaimu]

Very Nice! Following your idea and with the appropriate rod shape and wooden cutting jig, one could make oval shaped rings for a different looking chain, egg shaped rings, infinity shaped rings... infinity, maybe not. Even though... Cut ellipse shaped rings, assemble 2 of them as you show, twist one of them pi radian along its major axis, add an ellipse ring, twist the previous one, etc...

[@grantdennis273]

very nice...i have use a very similare method for making chain mail...perhaps a copper version is now in order..well done sir

[@TheMarcball]

very nice, I want to work with metal more and more, this is inspiring ! Keep on trucking !

[@jbkibs]

that's awesome! the cutting jig is genius... thank you

[@TheLorkM]

Hi Pocket, have you never thinks to make a copper chain mail, 1 feet by one feet to see the beauty of a copper chain mail

[@sawer]

That is so awesome! Really love your work and how you make it work. Your attention for detail is just awesome!

[@AlexGeo925]

Beautifully neat idea with the jig and saw :)

[@nickwilson1476]

dang.....I love this channel so much.

[@Sawsquatch]

Pretty clever stuff, man! Neat project. Thanks!

[@suecox2308]

Terrific video--well explained and the result is beautiful.

[@PietroMaker]

Hello from Italy, your work is very cool !

[@landrion7]

Love the jig i make chain maile this will save me a ton of time

[@tk429]

Very similar to making chainmail. One tip that people do when making mail is to get to sets of curved needle nose pliers to close the links.

[@NonTwinBrothers]

I like how the quality of your videos are improving... can't wait to see the channel grow!

[@arcanix51]

very informative. can be used to make links for making chainmail!

[@RealRuler2112]

Great idea! FYI, if you want to prevent the copper from oxidizing to begin with, dip it in some blond shellac; after it's dry, you'll never know it's there & is enough to prevent the air & moisture from getting at it and stop corrosion.

[@CafeenMan]

That is ingenious! I would have tried using math for the circumference when wrapped around whatever mandrel. Then I would have cut the pieces to that length and made one link at a time. Then I'd decide it's not worth it after about ten links.

[@JackC92]

you sir have deserved a sub from me! beautiful work! I love the idea of hide for the pliers, as myself for soft metals use thick heatshrink :) again, amazing work! Cheers, Jack.

[@Kori-ko]

This is amazing. This is a project I might actually do. Also, when I was in Prague, I saw that they were selling marble puzzles that break into pieces like your pyramid one.

[@pkb138]

Nice jig, very clever

[@margiemendoza448]

Thank you so very much, for sharing your gifts from God . It looks so easy when you make the chain. You are a Blessing. I love to work with copper., and sometimes I find it very hard especially if I don’t have a the tools that you do. Is it possible for you to make a chain with things that we might have at home like simple tools🤗 thank you . God Bless

[@10223220]

I made some of this chain and your right it feels real cool to the touch 👍

[@TealCheetah]

That is some oddly attractive chain!

[@girliedog]

Very well done video, you've inspired me to give it a try.

[@mesaprime4368]

As someone who does chainmaille jewelery I do reccomend the wiggle closing method. Just pushing the ends together will deform the rings. You *could* also try welding each ring together to make it more permanent but for aesthetic looks and function I do not reccomend it.

[@angelodemaria5538]

Thank you. One of those things I have been wanting to do and they came out great.

[@nicolecrystal6765]

well, youve certainly got that down to a system ! thanks!

[@red7fifty]

You could also solder the ends, and thus, have a stronger chain! (It will have a silver spot remaining, however)

[@patrickbrett66]

red7fifty it may be expensive but you can use gold soulder which looks like copper enough to hide the joints.

[@seigeengine]

A quick search informs me there are copper solders.

[@geofflotton5292]

Or use copper phosphor brazing rod.

[@mhm1778]

@@seigeengine copper solders look like silver a lot of the time.

[@jeffstanley4593]

I just found your channel, thanks to Jeremy Schmidt. New subscriber.

[@hansdegroot8549]

Amazing! For non-electricians: there are two types of copper wires for electricity: massive, as shown in the video, and tiny threads which are twisted around each other. Those you cannot use for this purpose.

[@SanthoshKumar-hr6eg]

Hi brother good chain, and your making type is easy to make any one .

[@SavvasPapasavva]

I think a good application for this would be chaining the chuck key to the pillar drill.

[@intjonmiller]

Savvas Papasavva 👍 Personally I use an old speaker magnet on every stationary tool with its own chuck key, Allen key, etc.

[@TheRussianWoodworker]

Wow that's a super cool idea!

[@jacksavage1405]

Very nice I will be making some in the future

[@RoboCNCnl]

Real cool and artistic project !! love it !

[@Foxiepawstotti]

It looks lovely but I simply stick whatever size of bit (or crochet hook whatever if you want oval or other than round links) into my drill with the tail end of the wire then make a coil, cut rings and assemble.

[@angelbrokenwingmedicineflo6798]

Wonderful work !

[@cybercapri]

Excellent project. I wonder if you might be able to use a Solder Pot to solder the chain links to make them a bit stronger? I say Solder Pot so that you can control the amount of Solder used. If you made 1/2" rings you would be able to use this for Chainmail items too... Cheers....

[@lamppuu1]

You can also use a knitting needle to make the rings, and also cut it while it's wrapped. The knitting needle needs just to be cut a bit from the top so you can cut the rings while it's wrapped.

[@dovahbear3382]

This channels off the chain

[@maxpower9672]

Dovah Bear 4 day old gold level comment and no likes. That's simply unacceptable!

[@dovahbear3382]

Max Power 1 minute old nice comment and simply no likes. That's simply inacceptable!

[@12345NoNamesLeft]

*channel's

[@linneabeckman6543]

Way out of my skill league, but fascinating, to watch. Clever way to accomplish...

[@grandolddrummer]

Starrett calipers? Fancy!

[@thecornishmaker5285]

Find a really quick way to wind steel wire is to use a chuck key in a drill. Loop an end around the cog bit and power the drill to create a nice little helix